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“Lumine,” Ayaka called out. “Is there anything else you want to bring with us on our journey?”
Lumine was still surprised Ayaka had convinced her to let her tag along. It was dangerous. Not that Lumine thought Ayaka was a weak woman. Ayaka was a wonderful fighter, Lumine had seen it firsthand. They simply worried. Ayaka was delicate. And Lumine was scared of losing someone else. The admiration they held for Ayaka was most definitely a weak point. Lumine couldn’t lose anyone else. Her brother was gone, and now what? If she lost anyone else, Lumine would be broken. Ayaka, Paimon, anyone else they had met on their journey. It was better to simply not get attached. But here they were, accepting Ayaka’s request to come along for the journey. Next they were headed to Fontaine, but first Lumine had a pitstop in mind.
“I don’t have anything in particular I need. What about you?” They tilted their gaze towards Ayaka, sighing softly. The woman wasn’t ready for a traveler’s life, but she hadn’t been able to tell the other no. “Ayaka, you understand that this isn't going to be a luxurious trip, right?”
Ayaka bobbed her head up and down in response. “Of course! I think it will be splendid being able to see the rest of Teyvat. I’ve never stepped foot out of Inazuma.” She paused, seeming to cross off a list as she continued to speak. “I packed all kinds of ingredients for us to cook with. Rice, shrimp, sakura blossoms, hmm… Is there anything I’m missing?”
Paimon shook her head as she floated between Lumine and Ayaka. “Nope! Sounds like we have everything we need for a yummy meal on the road!” Lumine only rolled her eyes. Of course Paimon’s mind was only on the food. She knew that they had to flee Inazuma, it wasn’t wise to be here any longer. They were practically fugitives on the run, she didn’t want the Raiden Shogun to find them.
“We may not return for a long time.” Lumine’s words were blunt leaving their mouth. Ayaka nodded again.
“I understand Traveler, I wish to see the world.” Ayaka’s crystal blue eyes glowed as she stared back at Lumine. That was that then, they had to leave.
The pair along with Paimon had all squeezed into the small beat that Beidou had bequeathed Lumine on arrival in Inazuma. Now it felt like it had come in handy. Ayaka had stocked their ingredients near the back of the boat as Lumine directed it through the storms that seemed to rage in the seas surrounding the Inazuma Islands. Ayaka couldn’t tear her eyes away from the sea outside of the ship. “It’s marvelous,” she murmured to herself. Was the whole world like this? It was embarrassing to think about how sheltered she had been. It wasn’t just her, but any youths who had grown up under the Raiden Shogun’s tyrannical rule. Now, she was coming to her senses. Getting to see the world would certainly be thrilling, she wouldn’t accept any other reality.
“Oh, Miss Ayaka! We’re almost to land. We forgot we had to make a quick stop in Mondstadt, to grab something from Master Jean!”
Paimon’s shrill voice cut through the silence of the boat, and Ayaka simply nodded. When the boat came to a firm halt against the shoreline, Lumine motioned for the others to follow them off onto the land. “Mondstadt is generally nice,” Paimon quipped as they all stepped from the boat to the soft sand of the beach.
It was colder in Mondstadt. Ayaka shivered just a bit, though she was appreciative of the chill that ran through her. Lumine’s eyes filled with momentary concern as they looked at Ayaka. The shiver made her concerned. What if Ayaka hated it? Sneaking back into Inazuma would definitely be a difficult task, but if that was what Ayaka wanted, Lumine would grant her that wish. Still, there was a pang of discomfort in their heart. Now wasn’t the time to fret though. Ayaka continued walking, she seemed enraptured by the sights around her.
“So, we have to go to the Knights’ headquarters and take something from Jean,” Lumine said. “She has something for us to bring to Fontaine, but I’m not quite sure what. A letter I’m guessing?”
Ayaka’s face broke into an excited smile. “An errand?” Many likely would have been bored by such a simple task, but for once Ayaka felt so normal. “This is so exciting!” Paimon raised a brow, and looked like she was going to say something, but held her tongue when Lumine shot her a glance.
“You think so?” Lumine asked the other, her voice a bit cheerful.
“Certainly!” Ayaka exclaimed. “I was never able to feel like this in Inazuma. No one will recognize me here, I’m just… Someone else who’s on an adventure!” She giggled, and then covered her mouth. When had a sound like that ever escaped her lips? “I apologize! I’m just excited to see a new place, I hope you don’t think I’ll be a hindrance to you both. You’re already such a well oiled machine and I would just hate-”
Lumine shook their head as Paimon waved her hands. “No, it’s nice having someone else tag along. That way Paimon doesn’t keep talking about nothing all day.” Lumine ignored Paimon’s cries of protest. “She’s always trying to get us to stop and make food any place where there's a campfire. It’s like she forgot how easily food can run out.” Paimon made a face as Ayaka laughed, politely covering her mouth.
“I’m glad I can be that kind of relief then,” she said. Paimon rolled her eyes as they walked across the bridge. “So this is Mondstadt?” Ayaka looked towards the others with a grin. “It’s beautiful. Really different from Inazuma. Where’s… Where’s the Anemo Archon?”
“Oh, the tone deaf bard?” Paimon chirped. “He’s around somewhere. It’s not like in Inazuma, he doesn’t spend a lot of time here. He’s always doing stuff…” Lumine rolled their eyes.
“Right, like spending time in the tavern.”
“Hey! Paimon is trying to make Mondstadt sound more exciting for Ayaka!”
“Don’t lie though Paimon.”
“Paimon doesn’t think lying is always a bad thing though, hehehe…”
“Oh… Whatever. Let’s just find Jean and get a move on for Fontaine!”
“Sounds like a great plan, Lumine!” Ayaka burst into the conversation. She looked so happy. Lumine found herself staring for a moment, unable to say something.
When they burst into headquarters, Jean and Lisa were near the entrance.
“Jean, we should be doing more than simply sending a letter. Visiting another nation wouldn’t be the end of the world.”
“I understand Lisa, but you can’t expect me to leave Mondstadt now. What if something happens?”
“Jean, you aren’t the only knight. They would be fine without you, you’re very important, but you cannot spend every waking moment working yourself to skin and bones.”
“Lisa… We can discuss this later.”
Their gazes lifted when they heard the clicking footsteps of Lumine and Ayaka entering the room.
“Lumine, you’re here! And just in time,” Lisa said with a cheeky grin. She had looped an arm around Lumine’s shoulders, dipping her head to Ayaka. “I apologize, who are you?”
“Ayaka,” she said. Lumine was surprised she hadn’t said her last name, but maybe it was intentional. They wouldn’t question it. “You must be Lisa, the librarian of the knights.” Ayaka turned to Jean, dipping her head just as Lisa had. “And you must be Master Jean, Lumine has said glowing things about you.” When Ayaka’s eyes met Jean’s, her face flushed red. Why was she so good-looking? Lisa watched the interaction, chuckling.
“It’s wonderful you’re here, but I have to inform you, Master Jean and I will be delivering the letter to the leaders of Fontaine.”
Paimon made a face, but Lumine glared at her. Now wasn’t the time for their small travel companion to jump in with a snarky comment. If it saved them time, maybe they could do something else.
“But, we would appreciate it if you could deliver this letter to Albedo. He’s still in Dragonspine, and Klee really wants him to have this.” Lisa held out a paper with a red seal. When Lumine looked closer, they could see that the seal had a little Dodoco on it. Klee burst into the room, as if on cue.
“Miss Lisa? You’re not going to bring my letter to Albedo?” She glanced down at the ground. “Dodoco really wanted to go with you y’know.” She smiled sheepishly “And then maybe Klee could come too?”
Lisa shook her head. “No Klee, Jean and I have an errand to run, so the Traveler and their friend Miss Ayaka will bring your letter to Albedo. Is that alright?”
Ayaka waved to Klee, who smiled. “Hmm… I guess it’s okay! As long as they come back and tell Klee and Dodoco what Albedo thought of Klee’s letter!”
Nodding, Ayaka and Lumine shared a glance. Lisa smiled, grinning over at Jean. “That settles it then. Jean, we’re headed to Fontaine. Klee, you can spend the day with Kaeya, how does that sound?” Klee clapped her hands in approval. “Thank you for working with the change in plans,” Lisa said to the others.
Then, they were off.
“Paimon thinks we should get a snack from Good Hunter before we go to Dragonspine. It’s so cold there!”
“Colder than here?”
“Yes Miss Ayaka! Dragonspine is really chilly, but Sara from Good Hunter can make us some warm snacks to bring along with us. What do you think Lumine?”
“I don’t think there’s a problem with us making a quick stop.”
After introducing Sara and Ayaka, the group was headed towards Dragonspine with warm food held closely to them.
“Lumine, doesn’t Klee seem so sweet?” Ayaka asked.
“Sure!” Said Lumine, “I can’t imagine having to run after her all day though.”
“I don’t know,” Ayaka mused. “It seems fun to have a kid. I remember seeing the other kids playing together when I was young, it always looked so exciting.” Her cheeks were painted a light shade of red as she asked; “Would you ever want a kid?”
Why would she ask that? Lumine laughed awkwardly. “I don’t know,” they said. “I think it depends on… When maybe?”
Ayaka nodded, “That makes sense.” There was a silence that consumed them once more. No one spoke for a moment before Paimon started to speak.
“Look! There’s Dragonspine!” Her hand pointed towards the mountains in the distance. Ayaka’s eyes widened.
“I had no idea that these mountains would be so tall!” She exclaimed.
“Don’t worry, we can just follow the path and we’ll get there just fine.” Lumine gave the other a reassuring smile. “Here,” she extended her hand to Ayaka. “S- So we don’t lose track of each other!”
“Do you want to hold Paimon’s hand too? I don’t wanna get lost either!”
“Paimon… You’ve been here before. You’ll be fine.” Paimon snorted as Lumine rolled their eyes. They began to climb the mountain together.
It wasn’t long before the group grew cold and broke into their stash of warm fisherman’s toast. The warmth that emanated off of the food didn’t end up lasting too long. And once more, the group was left in the cold. Paimon watched as the sky grew dark. “We should set up camp!” She declared.
Lumine glanced at Ayaka, who looked like she was freezing. For someone with an ice vision, she didn’t seem accustomed to the cold of Dragonspine. Neither was Lumine, so they had no place to judge. The group had settled around a fire, and before anyone was aware, Paimon was asleep.
That left just Lumine and Ayaka. The two sat close together, shoulders brushing against one another. Ayaka kept shivering, and Lumine wasn’t the warmest either. They didn’t know what had compelled them to wrap their arms around their pale counterpart. “Here,” Lumine murmured. “You look cold.” Ayaka’s face flushed slightly as their eyes met.
“Do I?” She had relaxed into Lumine’s careful touch. “You know Lumine, thank you.” Lumine was surprised by the woman’s words.
“For what?” They were huddled close together. Lumine could feel Ayaka’s breath on their face. It was warm, it was nice to feel some kind of warmth. The fire had died a moment ago, leaving them to warm one another.
“Taking me with you.” Ayaka smiled in embarrassment. “You didn’t have to, but you’ve already shown me so much. I really… Enjoy being with you. You’re my first real friend. Not out of pity or just… I don’t even know! You make me feel almost speechless? It’s just, weird. I like it though! Not a bad weird! It’s always so easy to talk eloquently but you just make me feel all bubbly inside. It’s so nice? All warm and bubbly and… And I want to explore with you forever.”
There was so much to take in, and Lumine stayed silent for a moment. Ayaka had said so much. She had been the only one to make Lumine really feel something. Sure, she appreciated everyone she had met on their travels, but Ayaka was different. She nodded, looking at the other. “I would like to explore with you forever,” Lumine murmured. “We can travel all of Tevyat, and when we find my brother, we can go to all kinds of other places. There’s a world outside of here you know.”
Ayaka’s eyes widened. Her arms had tightened around Lumine, taking in their warmth. “Really?” She asked, her voice barely audible over the winds of Dragonspine.
“Really.”
Ayaka laid her head against Lumine’s chest, eyelids slowly growing heavy. “I’d like that. After we deliver this letter, where shall we go next Lumine?”
“Well, I said we’d go to Fontaine, didn’t I?”
Ayaka’s eyes lit up for a moment. “I’d like that, a lot.” She smiled, reaching up and tracing the other’s cold cheek. “Now, get some rest. We can’t look so tiredin the morning. Maybe you and Paimon can teach me how to cook something else.” Ayaka’s words were soft, and this time it was Lumine’s turn to say the words Ayaka had already said.
“I’d like that, Ayaka.”